banks



. (No Model.) 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. au J. H. BANKS & W. B. PERT. OARSMANS RECORDER.

No. 478,270. Patented July 5, 1892.

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. 8u J. H. BANKS 8u W. B. PERT.

OARSMANS RECORDER.

vPatented July 5, V1892.

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.=&\\\\\\\\\\miii )Yom . H. BANKS and WALTER UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN BANKS, JOSEPH H. BANKS, AND l/VALTER B. FEET, OFA NEW YORK, N. Y.

OARSVIANSv RECORDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 478,270, dated July 5, 1892.

Application iiled May 2, 1892i.v Serial No. 391,333. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it' maycorwern:

Bc it known that we, JOHN BANKS, JOSEPH b. PEET, citizens of the United States, residing in the city and county of New York, in the State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Oarsmens Recorders, of which the following is a specification.

Ve have devised a compact arrangement of the recording mechanism, allowing the whole to be incloscd in a case of small capacity, which may be conveniently mounted in the ordinary position of the rowlock. Our recorder mayT serve on the gunwale of ordinary row-boats or on the outriggers of sporting boats and shells.

Ve will describe it as applied in the latter situation. It requires a different arrangement for the starboard side from the port side of the boat. A single recorder may be used alternately by 'the diiierent members of a crew, changing its position from one rowers place to another on the same side of the'boat, or there may be as many recorders employed as there are men in a crew. The preferable mode of using will be to have as many recorders as there are oars and using one for each rower, carefully adjusting the tension of the springs, so that all will be as nearly as may be alike, and then further eliminating the acciden tal differences by interchanging the instruments, setting t-hem in different places. A description of one will sufiicefor all.

7e provide for conveniently inserting and holding the paper in a long strip rolled up. It is fed forward between two rollers, which are turned during the recover movement of the oar sufficiently to allow the lines traced across and back by the pencilto be easily dis tinguished one stroke from another and, if necessary, to be carefully studied and measured. XVe shield the paper as it emerges from the rolls, so that it is certain to be deposited and accumulated in the space provided.l The pencil is traversed across by a band motion actuated by the horizontal sweep of the oar, using in what we esteem the most complete form of the invention two bands or two parts oi' a band so arranged that the motion of the pencil in each direction is positive. A helical spring is conveniently housed and equipped with a screw-threaded plug, by turning which its tension may be adjusted. The motion is derived from the upper portion of the rowlock, thereby holding the mechanism at such a level as to greatly reduce the chances of dipping into or splashing with water.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and represent what we consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure l is a plan view of the recorderand the adjacent portion of the boat and oar. The remaining figures are on a larger scale and show the recorder alone. Fig. l2 is aplan view showing the main portion of the recorder. Fig. 3 is a central vertical section partly in elevation. The section is on the line 3 3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 3a is an elevation of a portion partly in vertical section. Fig. 4 is an endelevation of the mechanism seen from the front. Fig. 5 is a face view of a strip of paper after its removal from the recorder.

The same letters of reference indicate the same or corresponding parts in all the gures where they appear.

A is a portion of the boat, and A A the Outrigger thereon.

M is the casing of our recording device. It is applied to the Outrigger A. and removed at will, being secured by means of a bottom plate M', bolt M2, and nut M3. (See Fig. 3.) The bolt M2 is set in one of the holes usually provided in the Outrigger for the ordinary rowlock. At the after end of the plate M are ears m', extending down at the edges of the Outrigger and carrying screws F F, which whenthe device is in use are screwed up to take a firm hold of the edge of the Outrigger and prevent any shaking.

M4 is a stoutpost extending upward from the bolt M2. In its upper end is acylindrical chamber receiving the slide B, which is formed with a collar B', adapted to receive the force of a sto ut helical spring (l.V The other end of this spring abuts against a screw-plug D, which is tapped into the forward end of the chamber and is traversed by the small end of the slide B. This spring is the force against which the rower exerts his strength in pulling the oar, and its yielding io a greater or ICO less extent indicates the force of the pull at any given point in the stroke. By turning the screw-plug D the tension of this spring may be adjusted.

E is a rowlock constructed in all respects in the usual form, except that the upper pivot E' is extended upward farther through an arm cast integral with the piece M5. This arm embraces the upper pivot E of the rowlock, holding it in a slotin which it may play freely forward and backward, the slotted arm serving simply as a guide laterally. The effective bearing of the pivot E is formed in the after end of the slide B. These parts are finished spheroidal, so that the rowlock may not only turn easily with the sweep of the oar, but may also rock to a considerable extent forward and backward, as wili appear farther on.

The extended pivot E has rigidly set on its upper end a horizontal wheel G, which serves by means of a flexible strap G' G2, running around pulleys H2 H4, to impart the re quired forward and backward traversing motion to a carriage J, which carries the pencil t'. This carriage J traverses across between parallel ways ll H2, which are fixed on a carriage H to a central point, in which carriage Il is firmly attached the slide B. The arrangement insures that the entire carriage H, with its ways Il H2, is traversed forward and backward in the fixed ways MGMT, being urged forward by the variable force impressed by the oar T, acting in the interior of the rowlock E, and being urged in the opposite direction by the tension of the spring C. The pivot E and the wheel G carried thereon move forward and backward to about the same extent as the slide B, the only difference being that due to the slight change in the upright position of the rowlock as the strain received through the oar is alternately impressed and relaxed. The wheel G and its flexible strap G G2 move forward and backward bodily to the same extent as the carriage Hand pulleys H3 H4. The tension of the strap G G2 and the position of the carriageJ induced thereby in its motion transversely to the instrument are not affected by the change of position due to the contraction and expansion of the spring C.

G3 is a pin set ad j ustably in the lower face of the wheel G. It serves as a pivot for a horizontal link O, which is connected by a pivot P to one end of a horizontal lever P, which turns on a center p, carried on the piece M5, fixed on the post M4. The other end of this lever P (the outer end P2) is pivoted loosely to a link Q, which extends forward nearly horizontally and is pivoted to a swivel R', carried on the upper end of a lever R, which is centered on the extended axis 7i: of the lower feed-roll K. A pawl R2, pivoted on this lever and subject to the action ofa spring R3, engages with a ratchet-wheel K', fixed on this axis k, and at each rearward movement of the link Q the lower feed-rollK is partially revolved by the pawl.

The upper feed-roll L,

being gently pressed thereon by adjustable screws L4, is turned by friction and the paper is fed forward intermittingly by the action of these feed-rolls.

M8 is a table Iixedin theinterior of the case M about on a level with the line of junction of the feed-rolls K and L. The paper is carried over this table and receives in passmga mark from the pencil t', which is carried in the carriage J, which latter is bored vertically and smoothly and receives a tube J', the exterior of which is finished to tit easily in the interior of the bore. A pencil t is set tightly in the tube J'. The rising and sinking of the pencil are allowed by the rising and sinking of the tube J. A spring J2, carried on an arm J2 from the carriage J, urges the tube and its attached pencil down gently upon the paper and yields as required.

S is an approximately-volute guide of sheet metal attached to the cross-bar M9 and soldered or otherwise properly set in the interior of the casing M and arranged to receive a roll of paper S', having one end free to guide the free end upward as the roll is revolved. The upper edge of this guide Sis curved forward over the rear edge of the table M2.

M10 is a door in the face of the case M opposite the end of the guide S nearest the center of the boat. It turns on hinges and is provided with an efficient fastening, which may be a padlock or other lock,if desired. To insert the paper, the paper being prepared in a proper roll with one edge free,the door M10 is swung open, the paper thrust into the interior of the guide S, and the finger of the attentiant being thrust into the interior of the roll of paper and revolved the friction causes the roll of paper to turn and to project 'the free end upward to the top of the guide, where it is defiected forward and caused to move across the table M8 and to be caught in the bite of the rolls K L. Now the door being shut and locked, the machine is properly conditioned for working. During the effective motion of the oar, that portion during which the pull is impressed by the oarsman, the paper stands still and the pencil t' moves partially across from one side to the other of the machine, tracing aline on the paper, which is deflected one way or the other, according as the conflicting forces-that impressed by the oarsman through the oar urging the slide B forward and that received froln the spring C urging the slide rearward-shall determine. During the idle motion of the oar back to positionthe recover-the partial rotation ot' the feedrolls K L draws the paper forward. During this movement the pencil moves idly backward to its place for the commencement of the stroke. This movement traces an oblique line on the paper which is of no special interest. The indications which are valued are those which are produced by the pencil during the effective portion of the stroke. j

N is a cover, which, like the case M, may be of stout sheet metal. It turns on hinges at n IIO 'and is held closed by a fastening n. The

paper S, after it has passed through the feedi rollers K L, is urged against the interior of the casing and accumulates subject to a shield or but when 'guard N, which is attached to the cover N.

When our casing is opened by the raising of the cover N, it brings this deiiector Nf with it; the machine is closed and the parts are conditioned for working this shield stands in the proper position to prevent the paper from entering the space occupied bythe mechanism and insure its being properly stored in the small amount of space left for the purpose in the interior ot' the case M exterior to the guide S, ready to be drawn out and examined at leisure when required.V

We may say, in conclusion, that this recorder, which can with a few moments labor be attached to the Outrigger in the place of the ordinary rowlock, will record accurately in regard to any given man while he is doing his regular rowing in the boat and the latter is moving` on the water, first, the length of stroke; second, the position of the oar in getting in and out of the water relatively to the right angle to the center line of the boat-z'.v e., the distance forward and the distance aft of of such line at which the blade of the oargets in and out, respectively; third, the greatest amount of force the man exerts on the oar, and, fourth, the amount of force the man puts on the oar at each point of the stroke, which of course also gives the point of the stroke at which the greatest force is applied.

The second is a specially-valuablehelp to the captain in rigging his crew, for by comparing the registrations of the different men and moving the stretchers (or foot-braces) of each man accordingly forward or backward in the boat he can get the men to put their oars in and out of the Water at the proper angles to the side of the boat.

What we have denominated the pencil may be any suitable marking device. We propose to use in some cases a fluid-ink pen.

Before commencing a trial the part should be in such adjustment that the pencil will rest on the center of the breadth of the paper when the oar is at right angles to the center line of the boat. To facilitate such adjust` ment, we provide the carriage J with an index, which may be either a mark or a slight finger extending downward. We make on the wayI-I, contiguous to the path of this carriage, a mark or graduation h exactly in the center. The connection of the strap G G2 with the carriage J is made capable of slight adjustment by slacking the screw g, and the point of attachment is so adjusted that the mark on the carriage J exactly coincides with the graduations h on the way. x

A center line s is drawn the entire length of the paper, either beforehand or during the working of the instrument. It is preferably drawn by hand or machinery the paper being guided accurately it serves with success. It may be drawn during the beforehand, and

serves as a base from which to measure the excursions of the oar forward and back. Then the pencil vis on this line, the oar is at right angles to the center line of the boat.

We-attach importance to the compactness of the mechanism, being all contained in a single small casing M, because it is easy to attach and detach; also, to the fact that the motion is taken from thetop of the rowlock, because it exposes the mechanism to less-risk of becoming wet; also, to the flexible belt, because it gives a uniform motion to the pencil exactly corresponding to the sweep of the oar, instead ot' changing the ratio toward each end, as is the fact when links are used; also, to the fact that there are two parts of the belt or strap G G2, pulling in opposite directions, because the motion is more efficient and reliable than can be attained by working the Apencil in one direction by a spring or weight; also, to the lever P and the links as arranged, because such lever takes the motion from a point in the middle of the instrumentand communicates it to the feed-rolls at one end; also, to the metal-cased pencil, because it allows of very delicate and close fitting; also,

to Vthe provision for adjusting the force of the spring C, because itallows all the instruments on the boat to be conditioned alike; also, to the shield or guard Nfor shielding themechanism and recorder, because it insures against the paper being misguided and becoming entangled in the mechanism; also to the guide S, with its bent upper edge S2 and the door 'li/llo, arranged opposite the same, because it facilitates the proper introduction of the paper.

We claim as our invention l. The rowlock E, having its lower pivot held in a fixed bearing and its upper pivot free to move forward `and backward, in combination with the slide B, housing M, spring C, and pencil-holder J, and with connected mechanism for indicating by the motion. of the pencil the extent of each stroke, the position of each stroke-that is to say, whether the man sits too far forward or too far back-V ward in the boat-and the force of the pull at each point in the stroke, all substantially as herein specied.

2. In an oarsmans recorder, the carriage H, having transverse guideways H H2 and adapted to moveforward and backward by the conflicting forces of the pull of the oars-v man, and a spring, as C, in combination with such spring, and meansfor communicating the force of the pull on the oar thereto, and the wheel G, pulleys H2 H4, and transverselymoving carriage J, and pencil @carried there- IIO in, all arranged for joint operation relatively to each other and to provisions for moving a recording-surface, as herein specified.

3. In an oarsmans recorder, the wheel G,

two pulleys H3 II, and a belt G G2, ruiming around such pulleys, in combination with each other and with a slide B, spring C, rowlook E, carriage H, and transversely-moving carriage J, carrying a recording-pencil, all arranged to serve relatively to each other and to a suitable recording-surface, as herein specified.

4. In an oarsmans recorder, the rowlook E, capable of partially revolving, as usual, the lever P, links O Q, and carriage J, carrying transverse ways H H2, and the lever R,pawl R3, ratchet-wheel K', and feed-rollers K and L, Combined and arranged for joint operation substantially as herein speoied.

5. In an oarsmans recorder having a rowloek E, capable of both rocking horizontally and moving forward and backward under the force of the pull, the slide B, actuated by suoli rowlook and carrying a transverse carriage Il, the spring C, adapted to aot longitudinally against the slide B, and the adjusting means D, arranged to allow the tension of the spring to be varied at will, as herein specified.

G. In an oarsmans recorder, the feed-rollers K L and means for operating them to carry forward a strip of paper and provisions for marking on suoli paper, an dthe approximately volute paper-guide S, having the bent upper edges S2, in combination with each other and with the door M10 opposite the end of such volute guide, all arranged ro serve substantially as herein specified.

In testimony that We claim the invention above set forth We afx our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN BANKS. JOSEPH H. BANKS. WALTER B. PEET. \Vitnesses:

RAE HARRISON, M. F. BoYLE. 

